A meeting of the Russian Federation President Council for Development of Physical Culture and Sport and LOC Russia-2018 for FIFA World Cup Organization took place on 8 December in Moscow.

Further way of football infrastructure development, including those with federal target orientated programmes, as well as issues of additional finance sources formation in the country, including raising of income from football matches attendance were discussed at the meeting. The following problems were also mentioned in the agenda:   slowdown of fan interest to the domestic championship, not high enough sport results of the Russian clubs on the international level, problems of national teams, safety and security arrangements in football matches organization.

There are problems in football management organization in Russia, we need Strategy of Football Development in Russia till 2030, as Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation informed.

The President mentioned that football is the most popular and grassroots sport in Russia, and more than 2,5 mln people go in for it, but “our national teams do not often bring joy to their supporters”. Among the biggest achievements Putin mentioned winning the European Championship in 1960, Olympics of 1956 and 1988 and the 3^rd place at EURO 2008. But Russia never became world champion. And since 1992 we have never qualified to the Olympics.

The President also indicated to the success of some club teams in European football tournaments, “but here invitation of foreign specialists played important role”.

"Football is loved and valued here, people of all ages play it. State and private investors also pay attention and render support to it. It means that the problem is inside the system of football management, organization of young talents selection and support. In methods of work with coaches and players", - mentioned Putin.
He also added that this field needs "clear and relevant activity programme". "So I would suggest you to prepare national strategy of football development till 2030", - said President.
Putin also added that among the strategy priorities there are increasing of number of people involved in football in Russia, as well as successful performance of players in big international sports event including FIFA World Cup in 2018.

"We should set appropriate tasks for federal, regional and local levels, attract more companies and business organizations as partners, form united science and methods space, as well as effective system of coaches qualifications, and most important, children coaches", - Putin said.
He also proposed to create big national centers of football development, which should include football academies preparing reserve and to support activities of youth and grassroots football sport school.

The clubs should have rights to ban supporters from attending matches. It was mentioned by Zenit St.Petersburg President Alexander Dyukov at the joint meeting of the Russian Federation President Council for Development of Physical Culture and Sport and LOC Russia-2018 for FIFA World Cup Organization.

"The violator should be held responsible and the punishment should be inevitable”, said Dyukov. – With us now the club is mostly held responsible. A facilitated fine procedure is necessary. A direct reference to the Sport Law should be made.” As for inevitability and personal responsibility, we would like to give this right to the clubs. Courts and police are overloaded and they are not willing to deal with such cases. There are 16 decisions on  match attendance ban per two years. It is also possible to found special units, but the most easy thing is to ban those who violate rules at the stadium from match attendance. So amendments to Civil Code should be made".
Betting companies can bring 1,5 – 5 billion rubles per year to the Russian football
"Betting companies are still non involved, said Dyukov. – According to our calculations they can bring 1,5 – 2 billion rubles per year".
Zenit President also suggested lifting ban on low-alcohol beer selling at stadia.

"We ask you to support the proposal to lift the ban for selling low-alcohol beer at stadia, he said. – There are no problem with beer advertising now, but sales at the stadium is forbidden. Now football match is an entertainment, just like going to a movie, concert, and such kind of drinks are part of the event".
Preparation of football reserve in Russia
Alexander Dyukov also supposes that system of football reserve preparation in Russia needs additional tuning.

"Schools can train only amateur-players with rare exceptions, said Dyukov. – This is not their guilt or fault that there are no qualified coaches. We have  10-15 academies, which can grow professionals. There are facilities and resources there, coaches, and owners which can provide top level. They are in Moscow, St.Petersburg, Kazan, Saransk, Krasnodar and Academy in Konoplevo. We have only 2,5 – 3 thousand of trainees, which have a chance to become professional football players in future.